Athrips rancidella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) Species
Last modified: June 8, 2025, 2:34 p.m.
A very rare species in the south of Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Gelechiinae > Tribus: Gelechiini > Genus: Athrips > Species: Athrips rancidella
- Vernacular names
- Ruwe mispelpalpmot (NL), Cotoneaster Webworm, Cotoneaster Groundling (EN), Grauer Schlehen-Schlankpalpenfalter (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Van Daele E. & Pelerents C. 1969. Synthèse des observations effectuées pendant quatre années sur les lépidoptères nocturnes de la région horticole gantoise. — Mededelingen Rijksfaculteit Landbouwwetenschappen Gent 34: 31–56. On page 39.
- Status
-
Native
Note: the species was first reported in 1969; however, given that it is a typical limestone specialist, it is remarkable that it was found in the area studied, and therefore, this is most likely a misidentification.
It is now assumed that the first Belgian observation would date from 2016 in Namur.
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 10–12 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Bionomics
The larvae live in spun webs on small branches of the host plant, eating the lower epidermis of the leaves, leaving a transparent upper epidermis which turns slightly brown and withers disfiguring the bush. Pupation in a dense white cocoon in the larval habitation.
The adults come to light.
Flight periods
The adults fly from mid-June towards mid-August in one generation.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Cotoneaster horizontalis, Crataegus monogyna and Cotoneaster integerrimus
The larva lives on Cotoneaster horizontalis, Cotoneaster integerrimus and Crataegus monogyna.
Habitat
It inhabits calcareous soils.
